Little is known for sure about the antagonist of the story, the evil Phantom.

Deliberately kept in the dark as a mysterious shadowy figure, he is rumored to be the Bride’s very own father, Henry Ravenswood, who has come back from the grave to prevent his daughter’s wedding.

His chilling laughter was provided by none other than horror movie legend Vincent Price, his French speaking voice is that of French actor Gérard Chevalier.

The Underworld

Skeletons come to life and open their caskets, trying to grasp us as we move past them. In an underground cavern, created by the cave-in of the graveyard above, a group of marble busts sings a ghostly tune as skeletons dance around them. One skeleton has set up a “skull-o-phone” and plays along to the music.

When the crypt doors creak and the tomb stones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake
Happy haunts materialize
And begin to vocalize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize

Now don’t close your eyes and don’t try to hide
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Shrouded in a daft disguise
They pretend to terrorize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.

As the moon climbs high o’er the dead oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.

When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell
Restless bones etherialize
Rise as spooks of every size…

We leave the cavern behind and enter the town of Phantom Canyon. A ghoulish ticket seller at the depot offers us one-way tickets as the mayor tips not only his hat but his head as well and welcomes us into town.

“Ah, there you are! Welcome, foolish mortals… There’s no turning back now! Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding…

“We find it delightfully unlivable here in this ghostly retreat! Actually, we have 999 happy haunts here, but there’s room for a thousand. Any volunteers, hmm? If you should decide to join us, final arrangements may be made at the end of the tour.”

Further on, the ghost of a bandit is engaged in a shoot-out with the sheriff. A coyote howls from one of the buttes of Big Thunder Mountain in the distance. Smoking crevices all around town bear witness to the catastrophic earthquake which caused the buildings around us to crumble and break open. We pass through the saloon, split in half, where invisible card players continue their game as the barman offers us a drink.

On a hill overlooking this nightmarish scene, the Phantom, wilder and more horrifying than ever, invites us to stay, gesturing toward an open coffin. Just then, a bright light appears and the Bride – herself now in skeletal form – points us to a possible escape route. We follow her advice and enter the manor’s wine cellar. The Phantom makes one last attempt to hold our vehicles back before he disappears in a flash of light.

A servant releases us from the vehicle and beckons us to step outside. As we leave the manor’s cellars, the Phantom’s laughter rings out behind us and we see the Bride one last time.

“Hurry back… hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate… We’re just dying to have you!”

Stepping outside, we find ourselves right in front of the old cemetery, Boot Hill. Originally the final resting place for the Ravenswood family, it has since expanded to carry the remains of all deceased citizens of Thunder Mesa.